Half Rounds on a 4003?

[ilikeindie]

I almost have enough money for my Ric (cannot wait) but the question that keeps popping in my head is "what strings will I slap on her"?

I have an American P bass and love that piano tone roundwound growl that it makes but I'm definitely going with flats on the Ric. I'm a huge McCartney fan so that's pretty much a necessity.

But I was wondering how some D'addario Half Rounds would sound? Anyone tried it?
I love that thumpy Macca tone and it would be great to have the best of both worlds, but I'm wondering if I could still get it with half rounds?

thanks.

[cassius987]

Half rounds are awful to my ears and even more so to my fingers.

Just get some Fender 9050s on it... the CL 45-60-80-105 set if it's available when you get your Ric. Amazing combo.

[MK1]

I love Fender flats on my Ric. You may want to look at some Pyramid Flats if you really want a thumpy tone. I don't know that steel strings will get you where you want on a Ric, nickel is going to be a better choice.
I'm also considering putting some tapewounds on mine.

[rekesbass]

MK1, does your Ric loose that snarl and growl with the fender flats? I been wanting to try chromes(I hear the fenders are very similar)on my 4003 but,I'm a little concerned....I don't want JUST the "Macca" sound,I would like a little "Geddy and Chris" to shine through too.I guess a kind of middle ground.. Also,I just(last night) put a set of Fender tapes on my jazz and I must say they are pretty bright and snappy right now.We'll see how long they take to get mellowed out but,I was not expecting them to be as bright as they are.
sorry for the hijack...
BTW..I don't like the D'Adarrio halfrounds..To me,they're not as good as a flat or a round..have not tried any other brands of that type(groundwound\pressurewound) but the D'ad's were not for me..

[MK1]

My Ric has plenty of snarl still with the Fenders. It just doesn't have that bright snap to it. I don't think you'll get the Geddy/Chris tone out of it with flats, but its also not going to keep you in just the Macca territory. Remember there are two pickups and two tone knobs. I must say though since putting the flats on much prefer the "vintage" setting on my 4003 over the modern one. It cuts through so nice, without getting that ice pick effect.

[FretlessMainly]

I never cared that much for Half Rounds; they don't sound nearly as crisp as rounds and they can't get that flat oomph. The only advantage they have is that they are easier on frets than rounds. Of course, they sound so bad that you may not want to play your bass, which is even easier on your frets.

[rekesbass]

Originally Posted by MK1

My Ric has plenty of snarl still with the Fenders. It just doesn't have that bright snap to it. I don't think you'll get the Geddy/Chris tone out of it with flats, but its also not going to keep you in just the Macca territory. Remember there are two pickups and two tone knobs. I must say though since putting the flats on much prefer the "vintage" setting on my 4003 over the modern one. It cuts through so nice, without getting that ice pick effect.

Oh,I'm not lookin for the Ged\Squire tone,I can get that with rounds and I'm not expecting to get there with flats...as long as there's a hint of that Ric "attitude" still there...

maybe I'll bring my '82 4001 out of retirement and put the flats on it (and maybe even reverse the cap bypass mod too,return it to stock)the way I bought it and the way Ric intended and keep rounds on my'04 4003(no push pull tone pot).